State Democratic caucus next in spotlight: Michiganians to be first in country to cast caucus votes online

January 19, 2004|By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer

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LANSING - The state of Michigan is elbowing its way into the political limelight with an early caucus date of Feb. 7, fast on the heels of the Iowa caucus - Jan. 19 - and the New Hampshire primary - Jan. 27. Also thrusting Michigan into the media spotlight is its three caucus voting options, offered only in the state of Michigan: Online voting, voting by mail, or voting at the polls.

Michigan is making history with the online voting option.

"The goal is to increase voter participation and access to voting in caucuses," said Jason Moon, spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party. "We also hope to reach younger voters."

Locally, it's hard to predict what effect the online voting option will have. Otsego County is a strong Republican county, but offering online voting may prompt some low-key county Democrats to vote in the caucus.

"I'm planning to vote online," said Democrat Bob Mammel, who owns EPCS, an Internet and web development business. "I've never voted in a caucus before, so it's going to be a learning experience for me."

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While Mammel wouldn't speculate about what candidates will fare well in Michigan, he did make one prediction that's on track for being correct: "I'd be willing to bet there will be a big impact (on voter turnout) with online voting," he said.

Moon said 23,000 Democrats already have registered to vote in the caucus, and two-thirds of the registration were done online.

"We've already had 700 people vote online," Moon said.

By comparison, Moon said, fewer than 20,000 people voted in the 2000 primary.

"We have more voters registered to take part in this caucus than we had in 1980, 1996 and 2000, and the number keeps growing daily," Moon said.

Janet Allen, a Gaylord attorney, is hosting the caucus at her office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at 111 W. Mitchell St., Suite C. Anyone choosing to vote at the caucus location need not worry about being engaged in hours of lengthy debate and discussion, a typical occurrence at the Iowa caucus.

"If people want to have discussions about the candidates, that's great, but if they want to vote and skedaddle, that's fine, too," Allen said.

Allen's duties as caucus host for the county include conducting the voting properly and calling in results after she closes the polls at 4 p.m. While it isn't in her job description, she will also have plenty of voter registration forms handy.

"I'll give them to parents to pass along to their kids, and tell them it's the best thing they can do for their kids who are old enough to vote, to get them registered," Allen said.

Candidate Howard Dean was the first candidate to make good use of the Internet as an effective campaign tool. Now the Michigan Democratic Party will be the first to use the Internet as a voting tool.

"I think others will pick up on this use of the Internet and use it as a tool as well," Allen said.

Registered voters can skip the polling place and go to: www.mi-democrats.com to vote in the caucus.